20 Stylish Curly Hair Men Looks to Try Now

Curly Hair Men often find themselves searching for dynamic styles that celebrate their natural texture rather than suppressing it. Embracing the unique volume and movement of curls opens the door to a versatile range of artistic and masculine looks that stand out in a crowd.

Finding the right inspiration is key to transforming an unruly mop into a signature style that reflects your personality. Whether you prefer a rugged, messy aesthetic or a sharp, professional cut, there is no shortage of creative possibilities to explore for your next barber visit.

Top Curly Hair Men Ideas to Explore

Navigating the world of curls can be exciting when you realize just how many variations exist for different face shapes and hair densities. This collection of ideas focuses on celebrating the natural bend and coil of the hair, offering visual inspiration for every type of curl pattern.

From tight coils that defy gravity to loose waves that flow with ease, these concepts are designed to spark your imagination. Below, we explore a diverse gallery of cuts and shapes that prove just how adaptable and stylish the looks available for curly hair men truly can be.

Short Curly Fade

The short curly fade is a fantastic idea for those who want a clean, low-maintenance look while retaining the natural texture on top. This style involves gradually cutting the hair down to the skin on the sides and back, creating a sharp contrast with the tight, manageable curls left on the crown. It offers a structured foundation that works exceptionally well for thick, dense curls, providing a masculine shape that requires minimal daily styling effort.

This popular option for curly hair men works across almost all professional and casual environments. The short length on the top means your curls stay tidy and contained, eliminating concerns about frizz or uneven volume. It’s the perfect blend of modern precision and natural texture, showcasing the curl pattern without letting it overpower the overall silhouette.

Long Messy Curls

Embracing long messy curls is a commitment to raw, unrefined texture that conveys a relaxed and confident attitude. This idea often involves growing the hair past the collarbone or shoulders, allowing the natural ringlets to fall and intertwine without rigid structure. It’s particularly effective for men with looser, wavier curl patterns that benefit from the weight of longer strands to help define the spirals.

The appeal of this look lies in its effortless, artistic vibe, making it a favorite among creative curly hair men. While it appears low-effort, the key is maintaining healthy, well-hydrated strands to prevent the length from becoming dry or frizzy. When styled correctly, the length and movement create an undeniable sense of freedom and flair.

Medium Length Curly Shag

The medium length curly shag is a rock-and-roll-inspired idea that adds volume and movement through intentional layering. This cut keeps the length around the ears and neck but uses strategic layers to build shape, especially around the face, giving the curls a natural bounce and lift. It’s an excellent way to add shape to medium-density hair that often lies flat without movement.

This hairstyle is a superb transitional idea for curly hair men who are growing out a shorter cut or who want to add some edge to their natural texture. The varied length of the layers encourages the curls to spiral independently, creating a textured, slightly rebellious look that is both versatile and charismatic.

Curly Undercut Style

The curly undercut is perhaps one of the boldest and most dramatic ideas for showcasing natural texture. It involves shaving the sides and back completely, leaving a significant, contrasting bulk of curls on top. Unlike a fade, the undercut maintains one uniform, short length all around, creating a stark line where the length begins.

This high-contrast look is incredibly stylish and gives curly hair men the opportunity to keep their lengthy curls while gaining maximum control and definition. The disconnected cut means the curls stay isolated and are easier to manage, allowing them to truly be the focal point of the style without competing with the sides.

Textured Curly Fringe

A textured curly fringe is a youthful idea that brings the focus to the forehead and eyes. This style keeps the top moderately long, allowing the curls to fall forward and cascade just over the browline. It works well with both medium and tight curls, using the natural curl pattern to create softness and movement over the face.

This is a great option for curly hair men looking to soften sharper facial features or add a touch of playful curiosity to their look. The key is ensuring the fringe is not cut too straight or heavy, as the weight of the curls naturally creates the required texture and shape.

Tight Curls High Top

The tight curls high top is a retro-inspired idea that has made a major comeback, especially suited for men with coily or afro-textured hair. This style maximizes volume and height by maintaining significant length on the crown while keeping the sides extremely short, often with a tight taper or fade. The high top is about architectural shape and bold dimension.

The controlled volume of the high top allows curly hair men to fully express their tightest curl patterns in a defined and sculpted manner. It’s a powerful, clean-cut aesthetic that requires careful shaping by a specialized barber but rewards the effort with a truly iconic and striking silhouette.

Wavy Surfer Hair

Wavy surfer hair is a classic, sun-kissed idea defined by its medium length and loose, beachy texture. This style isn’t about perfectly formed ringlets but rather natural-looking waves that possess an air of casual, perpetual summer. It works best for men with 2A or 2B curl patterns (loose waves) who want low-fuss, high-impact movement.

To achieve this natural movement, the cut should be kept relatively uniform, with slight layering to encourage the waves to break naturally. It’s one of the most laid-back curly hair men ideas, suggesting a life lived near the ocean, prioritizing movement and natural flow over precise lines.

Curly Pompadour Look

Reinventing the classic pompadour for curly texture requires volume and confidence. The curly pompadour look maintains significant length at the front, which is then sculpted and pushed backward and upward to create height, using the natural curl as the foundational texture. The sides are typically cut shorter or faded to enhance the contrast and focus attention on the dramatic volume on top.

This is a refined, high-fashion idea that gives curly hair men a polished edge. While it demands more styling product and effort than some other cuts, the resulting look is sophisticated and showcases the inherent beauty of the curly texture in an unexpected, elevated way.

Slicked Back Curly Hair

Slicked back curly hair is an idea for those seeking a highly formal or vintage-inspired look that tames the wildness of natural curls. This involves using a strong-hold product, such as a heavy pomade or gel, to flatten and direct the curls straight back from the forehead. This approach is easier to achieve with medium-length, looser curl patterns that can be convinced to lie flat.

The style provides an entirely different character to curly hair men, transforming voluminous texture into a sleek, controlled shine. It works particularly well for formal events or for men who want a dramatic change from their everyday, unstructured look.

Loose Ringlets Shoulder Length

Loose ringlets at shoulder length allow the natural curl pattern to hang freely and beautifully. This is a highly romantic and striking idea that capitalizes on the elegance of well-formed, medium-to-loose spirals. The length provides the necessary weight for the ringlets to drop and remain defined, minimizing the horizontal volume associated with shorter cuts.

This style for curly hair men requires consistent care to maintain curl definition and prevent the ends from drying out. When properly cared for, this length creates a magnificent frame for the face, emphasizing texture and natural beauty above all else.

Curly Hair Mullet

The modern curly hair mullet is a highly expressive and fashion-forward idea that plays on the trend of mixing texture and length. This contemporary take retains the signature short or cropped front and sides while maintaining significant length in the back, where the curls can fall naturally. The combination of precision and wildness makes it unique.

Unlike its infamous predecessor, the modern mullet is intentionally styled to look cool and effortless. It’s a brave look for curly hair men who want to experiment with asymmetrical length and volume, creating a profile that is distinctly bold and memorable.

Afro Curls with Taper

The afro curls with taper is a clean, sharp idea that shapes voluminous afro-textured hair into a manageable and highly aesthetic form. The hair on top retains its natural, rounded shape and volume, while the hair around the perimeter (temples and neckline) is gradually tapered down to the skin. This ensures the cut is neat and structured while preserving the beauty of the natural curl.

This approach gives curly hair men with tight coils a defined line and structure that maintains the cultural significance and magnitude of the afro style. The tapering is key to keeping the edges crisp and the overall shape meticulously groomed.

Side Parted Curly Hair

A side parted curly hair idea introduces an element of formality and control without sacrificing volume. This style involves defining a sharp part line on one side of the head, allowing the curls to fall naturally over, creating an asymmetrical sweep and enhanced height on the opposite side. It works well with medium-length curls that have enough weight to hold the part line.

This style is a reliable and classic look for curly hair men who need a polished appearance that still celebrates their natural texture. It’s often favored by those looking for a slightly vintage aesthetic that adds an air of gravitas to the volume.

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Professional Curly Cut

The professional curly cut is an idea that balances natural volume with corporate suitability. This often means a shorter, well-layered cut that keeps the hair off the collar and ears, ensuring the shape is neat and structured. The overall goal is to maintain the texture while minimizing the horizontal spread and frizz that can be distracting in a business environment.

This refined option proves that curly hair men can maintain their natural style without compromising professionalism. The layers are key here, ensuring the curls fall into a defined, predictable shape rather than spreading out unpredictably.

Curly Quiff Hairstyle

The curly quiff hairstyle is a playful, vertical idea that uses natural curl to create soft, structured height at the front of the head. Similar to the pompadour but generally less severe, the quiff is brushed up and back, allowing the curl to define the shape rather than relying heavily on product to maintain rigidity. The sides are typically kept short to make the quiff stand out.

This look gives curly hair men a youthful energy and works especially well for medium-density curls that can achieve height without becoming overly frizzy. It’s a charming style that balances texture and clean lines effortlessly.

Thick Curly Bob

The thick curly bob is a medium-length idea that maximizes the natural volume and density of the hair. This cut keeps the hair around chin or jaw length, often with a blunt, uniform line at the bottom. This approach works best for very thick, dense curls, as the weight of the uniform length helps to pull the curls down, reducing the “triangle” effect.

This bold, voluminous style for curly hair men is a powerful visual statement that celebrates the magnitude of the texture. It’s a simple cut in theory, but requires a barber who understands how to cut thick curls to ensure the shape remains complementary to the face.

Bleached Curly Hair Ends

The idea of adding bleached curly hair ends is purely aesthetic, focusing on color to enhance the existing texture. By lightening the tips of the curls, particularly in a short or medium-length style, you add dimension and visual interest. The contrast between the natural base color and the lightened ends makes the curl pattern pop dramatically.

This is a fun, stylistic choice for curly hair men looking to add a contemporary, edgy flair to their style without committing to a full-head color change. The visual separation created by the bleach emphasizes the movement and shape of each individual curl.

Curly Man Bun

The curly man bun is the ultimate idea for managing long curls while maintaining a rugged, stylish look. This simple approach involves gathering the entire mass of hair at the crown or the back of the head and securing it into a tight or loose bun. It’s a fantastic way to control the length and keep the hair off the neck during activity.

This look is embraced by curly hair men worldwide for its practicality and effortless style. The texture of the curls naturally gives the bun more volume and character than straight hair, resulting in a fuller, more dynamic knot.

Disconnected Curly Cut

The disconnected curly cut is an angular, modern idea that involves a sudden, sharp transition in length. This is often an evolution of the undercut, where the top section is left long and the sides are taken extremely short, but with a less blended transition line. The resulting look is bold, architectural, and highly contemporary.

This style emphasizes the geometry of the cut, allowing the full volume of the curls to contrast against the bald sides. It is a striking choice for curly hair men who prefer sharp, defined lines and maximal visual impact in their hairstyle.

Natural Afro Texture

The natural afro texture idea is about celebrating the hair in its purest form, often sculpted into a perfectly rounded or slightly elongated shape. This is less a “cut” and more a careful cultivation of the hair’s natural growth pattern, requiring maintenance to ensure the shape is even and healthy. The volume and magnitude of the natural afro are its defining features.

This is a powerful expression for curly hair men that focuses on authenticity and pride in one’s unique texture. The key to this idea is hydration and gentle care to prevent shrinkage and keep the coils beautifully defined and soft.

FAQs About Curly Hair Men Ideas

What is the most popular hairstyle for men with curly hair?

The most consistently popular idea is the Curly Fade, specifically because it offers the best balance of structure and texture. It keeps the hair neat and manageable on the sides while allowing the natural curls on top to be the focal point. This versatility ensures it looks sharp in nearly any setting, making it a reliable choice for curly hair men.

How can I tell which curly hair idea suits my face shape?

For rounder faces, look for ideas that add vertical height, like the High Top or a Curly Pompadour, to elongate the profile. For longer faces, consider wider styles like the Medium Length Curly Shag or a textured fringe to add width and balance the length.

Are there professional curly hair ideas for the workplace?

Yes, absolutely. The Professional Curly Cut, which is shorter and well-layered, is an excellent choice. Additionally, the Side Parted Curly Hair look adds a touch of formality and control. These styles ensure the curls are contained and neat without losing their natural texture, which is key for curly hair men in formal settings.

What is the difference between a curly fade and a curly undercut?

The difference lies in the transition of length. A curly fade features a gradual blending of the hair from long on top to very short at the neck and sides. The curly undercut features an abrupt, single, sharp line where the long top section disconnects completely from the very short or shaved sides.

Can men with thin curly hair try voluminous styles?

Yes, but the approach should be strategic. Curly hair men with thinner hair should prioritize ideas like the Textured Curly Fringe or the Curly Quiff, which use light layers to create the illusion of height and lift at the crown. Avoiding heavy, uniform lengths will prevent the hair from lying flat and looking sparse.

Conclusion

The journey for curly hair men seeking inspiration is truly limitless, proving that natural texture is an asset to be embraced, not managed. Every curl pattern, from loose waves to tight coils, provides a unique canvas for self-expression, offering styles that range from rugged and free to sharp and sophisticated.

Ultimately, the best idea is the one that makes you feel the most confident and authentic. Use these diverse concepts as a starting point to find a style that not only flatters your features but also celebrates the natural movement and volume of your curls, defining your personal creative signature.